The day I turned 16 my mother (of all people) took me to get my first piercing. I had always found nipple piercings to be aesthetically pleasing. However everyone I had talked to said it was one of the most painful places to get pierced. So I went for the bellybutton instead. A couple of years later a coworker of mine came into work all excited. She had her left nipple pierced the day before and wanted to show it to everybody. I thought it was really pretty, so I called a popular piercing/tattoo studio in Berkeley and made an appointment for the following week.
At A Glance Author Marcie Contact Marcie@bme.anon When A month ago Artist Rose Studio Curioso Location Berkeley CA, and Santa Cruz CA The night I was to be pierced a couple of friends and I drove in Berkeley and ate a big dinner. I've found it is always wise to eat well before a piercing or tattoo. If you are nervous or in pain your blood sugar can drop leaving you dizzy and shaky. But anyway, we ate and then headed towards the studio. I picked this shop because I had my tongue, my nose (twice), and my lobes (stretched) done here before, and they had always done a lovely job. Right away I realized that perhaps this wasn't the best time to be getting my nipples pierced. There was a line of people out the door taking numbers and being pierced assembly line style. This is not what I had envisioned. We stood in line for a half hour, me getting more and more nervous the whole time. Finally our number was called and we all went in. The piercer (female) was friendly but rushed and didn't spend much time explaining what she would be doing or how it would feel, which I think is really important. I pulled down my tank top, got cleaned up, she marked where the needle would enter with ink and a toothpick, then had me lay down. If you have really sensitive nipples then the clamps can be uncomfortable, although I dint mind them so much. After clamping my left nipple she took a second to place the needle and pushed it through. The only way I can describe how it felt is that it burned. It was as painful as I had expected it to be. She then inserted the jewelry and sent me on my merry way. The only aftercare instructions I received were on a piece of paper. When my nipple began bleeding the next morning I freaked out and had to call her to figure out what was going on. Ask questions of your piercer it is their job to inform you of these things. So I went home happy but in pain with a barbell in my boob.
A few months later after moving to Santa Cruz I decided to get the other nipple pierced. A friend recommended Curioso on Pacific. A friend and I went together, she was getting both done, and me the right nipple. Our piercer was Rose. She was very friendly and professional. She sat down for close to 15 minutes with us explaining the procedure and various tricks to make them heal faster. I went first, nervous because of how much it hurt last time. She took me through it step by step explaining everything. Told me to breath in and breath out, on the exhale the needle went through and it just felt like a pinch. This time I was pierced with a captive bead ring which I think is easier to clean. If your pierced with a Barbell though it won't snag on your bra as easily.
So the best way to make yourself comfortable after a nipple piercing is to always wear a bra. One that is soft on the inside (no lace), I even wore one to bed for weeks. If you don't you will have friction between you breast and your clothing, bedding, whatever causing soreness. Also nothing feels better then warm saline soaks. Oh my God, they are so great! Find the store brand saline solution, the kind people use to clean their contacts with. Make sure it's the sterile kind! Fill up one of those disposabl dixie cups with it and heat it in the microwave just long enough for it to warm (not hot, OUCH). Lean over put it on and sit back and relax. Watch Matlock, spy on your neighbors, read the paper whatever. But leave it on for a few minutes. Also wash twice a day with hypo-allergenic glycerin soap. NO perfume, no dye, nothing otherwise you cvould become infected.
Nipple piercing are great. They are flattering on any size breast and they increase sensitivity quite a bit, which can be lots of fun. The lesson is be careful where you go. Word of mouth is the best way to find a good clean studio. And it makes a big difference who pierces you.